There’s a new advocate in town, and she’s bringing gift cards, door prizes, and a whole lot of energy to East Kamloops.

The newly formed East Kamloops Business Improvement Association (EKBIA) has officially named its first-ever Executive Director, Clare Warner. Warner has a passion for placemaking, public art, and pretty much anything that celebrates community while bringing people together.

Warner is excited to get boots on the ground and get the EKBIA ball rolling. “I was delighted to join the East Kamloops BIA at such a formative time,” she said. “Businesses here deserve representation, and East Kamloops will benefit from having a unified voice and proactive programs that support the area’s potential.”

And when she said “proactive,” she wasn’t kidding.

The EKBIA was recently formed with a mandate to boost economic development, enhance public spaces, advocate for local businesses, and promote community safety in the neighborhoods of Valleyview, Dallas, and Campbell Creek. It’s like having a cheerleading team with a clipboard. The EKBIA looks to root for small businesses while building that same community that they look out for.

Warner, who previously managed public spaces and placemaking with Downtown Van in Vancouver, brings a solid background in transforming urban areas into people-friendly places. Now, she’s channeling those skills to enrich East Kamloops.

“In the coming weeks,” she explained, “we’ll also be visiting businesses in-person to see what events and promotions they have coming up that we can endorse and share with the community. We’re really excited to meet with the community and begin this work together.”

To kick off the new BIA in an exciting and impactful way, the BIA is launching several initiatives that are just as much fun as they are strategic.

First up is an enviable $2,500 Giveaway. Beginning July 1, locals can hop onto Facebook and Instagram (@EastKamloopsBIA) for a chance to win a generous basket of gift cards and prizes from businesses in Valleyview, Dallas, and Campbell Creek. Following and engaging with their socials could literally pay off.

For some in-person fun, on Wednesday, July 23 from 4–6 pm, the EKBIA is hosting its official launch at the local neighborhood hangout, the McCracken Station Pub. Expect networking, snacks, drinks, and yes, door prizes. It’s open to local business owners and community members, and RSVPs can be sent to [email protected].

On the business end of things, the EKBIA wants to hear directly from the people it represents. A new survey is available until August 6, and one lucky respondent will win big with a gift basket worth $500 from East Kamloops businesses.

“We have some really exciting initiatives for both the public and the BIA business members to participate in,” Warner said. “It’s all about building a vibrant, safe, and welcoming environment.”

So what, exactly, is a BIA, anyway? A Business Improvement Association (BIA) is kind of like a neighborhood’s unofficial champion and ambassador. Created under provincial legislation with city support, a BIA spends time communicating with the businesses in their area, learning about their needs, and then represents the interests of those businesses and commercial property owners within their specific area. As required by B.C. legislation, BIAs are funded through a member-based property tax levy. The rate of .0008 percent is small change for a big impact. That means, through the BIA, there is a voice for everything from advocating for infrastructure improvements to running marketing campaigns and community festivals.

A successful BIA isn’t just about making money (though that doesn’t hurt), it’s about creating clean, safe, and people-friendly places to shop, eat, work, live, and play. It’s economics with a heart for the community and the people within it.

So, whether you’re a business owner in East Kamloops, a resident of the area, or someone just excited to see your neighborhood thrive, there’s a place for you in the growth of the EKBIA.

Want to learn more? Check out www.ekbia.com and follow @EastKamloopsBIA on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates, events, and community highlights.

And if you see Clare Warner out and about with a clipboard and a smile, don’t be shy, she’s here to listen and to help make East Kamloops stand out as the amazing area it is.